STORIES OF CHANGE

we are agents of change

In this series, we have set out to share some stories about CHOICE’s impact: the stories of young people we are able to change together with our partners.

This story is about Fatimah from Indonesia, and how she became an agent of change.

The previous
situation

Fatimah (21) lives in Takalar, Indonesia. Before hearing about ARI, an Indonesian organization of young people concerned with youth affairs and human rights, Fatimah was a shy and reserved girl. She was a young student and didn’t had a lot of friends. She followed her classes but didn’t learn a lot about young people’s health and rights.

THE
INTERVENTION

“Since I joined ARI, I know a lot more about sexual and reproductive health and rights issues”, says Fatimah. She joined ARI in October 2014 and is currently a Research and Development Member.

Fatimah used to think that ARI was just an organization that discussed taboo topics such as LGBT and transgender, but she now knows that there’s a lot more to it. She came to learn that ARI is a youth-led organization and participated in trainings through which she gained a lot more knowledge and learned new skills. Fatimah: “I learned about leadership and understand a lot more about youth issues and organization management. I also now know more about research.”

“I understand a lot more about SRHR now and when i hang with my friends i can share my knowledge with them. ”

– FATIMAH

THE CURRENT
SITUATION

Fatimah now feels that she has improved her social skills: “I am now more social. I have new knowledge and found new friends. I learned about leadership and feel confident to speak out more.” Fatimah continues: “I understand a lot more about SRHR now and when I hang with my friends I can share my knowledge with them. It’s good that I can give them this knowledge, especially those who have false perceptions about sexual health and rights.”

Fatimah has no regret that she joined ARI: “ARI discusses youth issues in fun and interesting ways. This is important, because we are agents of change who can influence people and make them realize that young people’s health is important, knowledge is important and rights are important.” Fatimah also adds that being a member of ARI means that you are included in an environment that is supportive of change.

Published on 01.11.2016

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ABOUT ARI

The Aliansi Remaja Independen (ARI; independent youth alliance) is an Indonesian organization of young people concerned with youth affairs and human rights. ARI envisages a society in which young people are empowered, equal, independent, responsible, fulfill their rights and participate actively in every aspect of development. They aim to work meaningfully with government agencies, civil societies, youth groups and development partners to ensure that all young people reach their optimum health and complete compulsory education. ARI’s strengths are advocacy and engaging young people meaningfully. They carry out advocacy work at the local, national and international level in the pursuit of equal rights for youth in Indonesia. ARI also aims to celebrate (sexual) diversity of young people through the promotion of the rights of marginalized young people. Members of ARI are, amongst others, young people living with HIV, young sex workers, young men having sex with men, transgender youth, students, activists and young religious leaders. CHOICE and ARI became partners in 2011. Together we work on advocacy skills, internal communication and capacity building strategies. ARI and CHOICE are currently working together within the Get Up Speak Out program, the Yes I Do program and the Right Here Right Now program.